Social Housing in Exeter
In Exeter, as across the UK, Land to Homes aims to bring forward new social rent homes with councils and housing associations, either within a mixed development or as a scheme built entirely for a social landlord. We handle land, planning and construction. The landlord owns and manages the homes, sets the rent within the rules and allocates them from its housing list.
Exeter · EX2Register your interest
Tell us where you want to live and what you need. Free, no obligation.
Registering interest is not a housing application. Social and affordable homes are allocated by councils and housing providers through their own lists.
Prefer to talk? Call 0800 088 6248.
- Free to registerNo fees, no deposit, no obligation
- Hear firstIf homes are released near you
- Affordable homesWith councils and housing associations
- Clear informationTenure, specification and warranty
- UK-wideEngland, Wales, Scotland and NI
Homes we plan around Exeter
We cover Exeter as part of Devon. It is about 36 miles north-east of Plymouth, around postcode district EX2. Close by, our coverage also takes in Exmouth, Tiverton and Newton Abbot. Within England, Exeter falls in the South West region.
When you register for Exeter, you can choose homes for affordable rent, homes for private rent or accessible and adaptable homes. Because Exeter is in England, land titles are registered with HM Land Registry and transfers attract Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).
Registering for Exeter is free and you can ask us to remove your details at any time.
What you get in Exeter
Whole-site schemes
We can also discuss schemes built entirely for a council or housing association, on land we bring forward or land the landlord already owns.
Clear signposting
If you need a home, we point you to your council's housing team or, in Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.
Homes for social landlords
We plan and build social rent homes for councils and housing associations to own, manage and let to households from their lists.
We do not allocate homes
Allocations are made by councils and housing providers through their own lists and policies. We cannot add anyone to a list or influence who is offered a home.
Rules that apply in Exeter
Affordable homes in Exeter are usually funded through a mix of Section 106 contributions from market schemes and grant from Homes England's Social and Affordable Homes Programme 2026 to 2036, or from the Greater London Authority in London. Registered providers, regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing, own and manage most of them. Land to Homes can bring forward land and build homes for councils and housing associations, including homes for Social Rent.
In England, social rent homes are owned by councils and registered providers regulated by the Regulator of Social Housing, with rents set under the Rent Standard. Councils allocate homes under their published allocation schemes, often through choice-based lettings. New social homes are usually secured through Section 106 agreements or funded with grant through Homes England, or the Greater London Authority in London.
| National planning policy | National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), revised August 2026, with national planning practice guidance |
|---|---|
| Local planning document | Local Plan |
| In-principle consent | Outline planning permission, with reserved matters approved later |
| Developer contributions | Section 106 planning obligations, plus the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) where the council charges it |
Your questions answered for Exeter
Who owns and manages new social homes?
A council or a housing association, often called a registered provider in England and a registered social landlord in Wales and Scotland. The landlord sets the rent within the rules that apply, handles repairs and manages tenancies. A developer such as Land to Homes builds the homes and transfers them, but does not manage them as a social landlord.
What is the difference between social housing and affordable housing?
Social housing usually means low-cost rented homes let by councils and housing associations at social rents. Affordable housing is a wider term that also includes affordable rent, shared ownership, discounted sale and, in Scotland, mid-market rent. All social housing is affordable housing, but not all affordable housing is social housing.
Can social housing be built on land I own?
Yes. Land can be sold to a developer who includes social homes in the scheme, or offered for a scheme built entirely for a council or housing association. Planning policy often requires affordable homes on larger sites anyway. Our free site appraisal looks at whether your land suits new homes and which route makes sense.
What tenancy do social housing tenants get?
It depends on the nation and the landlord. Council and housing association tenants in England usually have secure or assured tenancies, Wales uses secure occupation contracts, Scotland uses the Scottish secure tenancy and Northern Ireland has its own secure tenancy arrangements. Some landlords start new tenants on an introductory or starter tenancy first.
Can I register for new homes in Exeter?
Yes. Registering for Exeter is free and does not commit you to anything. There are no homes available yet; if we bring homes forward in or near Exeter, we will contact you.
Read more: Social Housing · Guide: Renting a new-build home: tenancy rules in England, Wales, Scotland and NI